McConnell, James OR'31

In 1969 the Board of Governors saw a generational changing of the guard when McConnell took over the presidency. He was an OR, a parent and a benefactor of the school. He stepped into the role during a difficult period of time in Ridley's history - enrolment was down; there was general discontent with the current Headmaster, a rapid turnover was occurring amongst the younger staff members. The Board took on the task of achieving two interlocking initiatives; to express confidence in the school by way of the Program for Excellence, and to seek a new leader. In February 1971, McConnell announced that the new Headmaster would be Richard Bradley. "He was scrupulous in his dealings with Ted Pilgrim, and tireless in his guidance and support of Richard Bradley…His careful recording of the preparations for the inclusion of day boys and then girls to the Ridley student body are witness to his belief in procedure and detail." In 1981 he joined the 100th Anniversary Committee whose mandate was to lay the parameters for a campaign that would culminate at the school’s centennial in 1989. McConnell died in Toronto on February 27, 1998.

With more than 700 students from 50+ countries, the largest boarding programme in Ontario and the third largest in Canada, Ridley College is a truly international, co-educational, day and boarding school of the world that prepares students for the world. It has provided enriching learning and life-shaping experiences focused on the arts, academics, and athletics since 1889. Ridley’s Lower School offers JK-Grade 8, its Upper School consists of Grade 9-PG, and Ridley graduates attend some of the top universities and colleges around the world. Ridley is the only independent boarding school in Canada and one of only three in North America authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum programme.